City of Side: Jeep Safari & Green Lake Boat Trip with Lunch

Dust, water fights, mountain roads, and lake views make this a lively day out. From Side, you ride in an open Jeep through the Taurus Mountains, stop at Roman aqueducts and Green Canyon, swim at Green Lake, eat lunch beside the water, and finish at Manavgat Waterfall. It is part sightseeing trip, part outdoor party.

I like the mix of action and calm. The rough Jeep tracks bring the excitement, while the boat ride gives you time to sit back and enjoy the scenery. I also like the strong value at $19 per person, especially with hotel pickup, lunch, a guide, insurance, and the off-road ride included. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet nature outing: music, dust, water fights, bumpy roads, and a large Jeep convoy are central to the day.

The schedule runs for about six to seven hours, usually with pickup from hotels around Side. Drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Alex, and Niko have been praised for combining lively driving with careful handling. The lead host, often called Johnny Cash, keeps the group informed and entertained.

Key points to know before booking

• The Jeep ride is the main event: Expect rough tracks, quick turns, dust, loud music, and plenty of jolting.
• Green Lake gives the day balance: You can swim, eat beside the water, and then take a roughly one-hour boat cruise.
• Roman aqueducts and Green Canyon add real sightseeing: This is more than a simple off-road joyride.
• Lunch is included: It is generally a buffet-style meal with items such as chicken, salad, pasta, rice, couscous, and bread.
• Bring a face covering: Dust can be heavy, and bandanas may be sold before departure for about €5.
• Water fights are part of the program: Keep phones and cameras protected, and do not wear anything you want to keep perfectly clean.

Leaving Side for the Taurus Mountains

Pickup is provided from hotels in the Side area, with the Jeep arriving at or near the hotel security gate. The exact pickup time depends on availability, but the full outing lasts roughly six to seven hours. Some groups have reported morning departures around 8:30 and returns close to 3 p.m.

You first meet the guide and other passengers at a central gathering point. A briefing explains where to sit in the Jeeps and how the day will work. The vehicles then set off in convoy, usually with several Jeeps traveling together.

This format matters. You are not hiring a private driver for a peaceful mountain tour. You are joining a social group outing, with music, shouted jokes, photo stops, and interaction between the vehicles. That makes it fun for families, couples, and groups of friends, but less appealing if you want silence or a slow private visit.

The Jeeps are open-sided, so you get broad views of the surrounding countryside. You also get dust, sun, and wind. Sunglasses are useful, and a scarf or bandana over your nose and mouth is one of the best practical items to bring.

Off-road tracks and high views

The first substantial section takes you into the Taurus Mountains and onto unpaved tracks. The road becomes rough, and the Jeep sways, bumps, and turns across the hills. Several passengers describe the ride as fast and thrilling, but you should understand that thrilling here means being thrown around a bit.

Drivers are a major part of the experience. Joseph has been singled out for making the ride exciting while keeping people comfortable, while Atoo is often praised for his humor and confident handling. Other drivers, including Alex, Niko, Victor, and Denny, have also earned warm praise for keeping the mood high.

You stop at viewpoints above the water for photographs. These breaks are useful because the ride itself can be busy and noisy. You have a chance to stretch, catch your breath, and take in the wide views of the lake and mountain country.

The water fights begin at some point during the day. Bottles are used between the Jeeps, and you may get wet even if you did not plan on swimming. The combination of dust and water can make the ride messy, so leave white clothing and expensive electronics at the hotel.

Roman aqueducts and a short history stop

The convoy pauses at old Roman aqueducts for a short rest and photo break. The stop is not a long archaeological visit, but it gives the day a useful connection to the region’s past.

You will have a few minutes to look around and take pictures before returning to the Jeep. This is a brief stop, so set your expectations correctly. The aqueducts are part of a wider route through the countryside, not a full guided Roman monument tour.

Still, I like having this pause in the program. Without it, the trip could feel like a continuous amusement ride. The aqueducts remind you that the area around Side contains far more than beach hotels and resort streets.

Green Canyon and Oymapinar Dam

The route continues toward Green Canyon, where you stop for views of the canyon and Oymapinar Dam. This is one of the prettiest parts of the day, especially if you enjoy seeing water, steep hills, and open mountain scenery from above.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you enough time for photographs and a proper look around, although the group schedule means you cannot wander far or stay as long as you might on a private drive.

The views are one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. You reach places that would be awkward to visit without your own vehicle, and the rough approach road becomes part of the fun. I would bring a phone only if you can keep it in a sealed waterproof pouch. The tour information specifically warns against bringing electronic devices because of the water fights.

A quiet mosque stop before Green Lake

On the way to Green Lake, the guide stops at an old mosque. This is a short cultural pause rather than a major sightseeing visit. Your guide explains the stop, and you have time for photographs before continuing.

The mosque adds variety to the day. You move from mountain views to historic structures, then toward the lake and lunch. The schedule is full, but the individual stops are short enough to keep the convoy moving.

The tour is offered with English, German, and French guides. Some groups have also received explanations in Russian, according to the information provided during the trips, but the stated guide languages are English, German, and French. If language matters to you, confirm it when booking.

Swimming at Green Lake before lunch

At Green Lake, you have a swimming break of around 30 minutes. The water gives you a welcome change from the dry, dusty Jeep ride. You can cool off while lunch is being prepared nearby.

Bring swimwear, a towel if you need one, and a change of clothes. The water fight means you may become wet before reaching the lake, so it is wise to pack as if swimming is guaranteed.

The lunch setting is one of the most appealing details of the trip. You eat beside the lake, with the water and surrounding hills providing a far better view than an ordinary roadside restaurant. Lunch is generally described as substantial, with chicken, salad, pasta, rice or couscous, and bread served in buffet style.

Drinks are not included. They can be bought separately, and prices have been described as reasonable, but you should carry some cash or another accepted payment method. Chicken quality can vary, and one passenger found it a little tough, so keep expectations at the level of a simple included meal rather than a restaurant feast.

The Green Lake boat cruise

After lunch, you board a boat near the lake for a cruise of about 50 minutes to one hour. This is the calmest part of the outing. The Jeep engines and loud music give way to open water, mountain views, and the chance to sit down properly.

Swimming from the boat is usually offered. You can jump into the lake during the cruise, so keep your swimwear on and have a dry layer available for afterward.

Music and a party atmosphere may continue on the boat. In other words, do not expect a silent nature cruise. The boat is relaxing compared with the off-road section, but the group energy remains part of the package.

Check the exact booking option carefully. The activity details say the Green Lake boat trip is included if that option is selected. At this price, the boat may not be part of every available package. The same applies to some extras, such as photographs and waterfall entry.

Manavgat Waterfall as the final stop

After the lake, you return to the Jeep and make the final stop at Manavgat Waterfall. The sightseeing break lasts about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the day’s schedule.

This is a short visit, suited to fresh air and photographs rather than a long walk. The waterfall is a pleasant finish because it gives you one last scenic stop before the ride back to Side.

The entrance fee is not included. Ask about the current cost before entering, especially if you are budgeting closely. You can still enjoy the stop from the designated viewing area, but the tour does not cover every expense connected with the waterfall.

What the $19 price really gives you

At $19 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a six to seven-hour outing with hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, lunch, insurance, off-road driving, and possibly the boat cruise. Even after paying for drinks, waterfall entry, and any photo package, the basic value is strong.

You are paying for a group experience, not a private tour. The low price is possible because the day uses a convoy system, shared vehicles, a set route, and a fixed lunch stop. One passenger found a Jeep cramped because it was overbooked, so seating comfort may not be identical for every group.

Photos and videos are sold separately. One group paid about €45 for a package that included regular photographs, posed shots, and drone images. These can be a nice souvenir, but they are optional. Decide before the tour whether you want to spend extra, since photographers may be active throughout the day.

Tipping is also not included. Several passengers felt the drivers worked hard for the group, so you may wish to carry small notes if you want to thank your driver or guide.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day of activity without organizing transport yourself. It suits families with older children, teenagers, couples who like a bit of noise and action, and groups of friends looking for a good-value day beyond the Side resort area.

Children under two are not permitted. The tour can work for families with young children above that age, but the bumpy roads deserve serious thought. A few families with children, including a three-year-old, found the team attentive, but another group found the Jeeps cramped. If someone in your party has mobility problems, tell the operator in advance. The staff have helped passengers with mobility needs, but the rough vehicle rides are still worth considering carefully.

This is not the best choice for anyone with back or neck problems, anyone who dislikes sudden movement, or anyone hoping for a peaceful lake excursion. The ride can be very bumpy, and the water fights are not optional surprises that you can always avoid.

Practical packing advice

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and a bandana or scarf. The scarf is especially important because dust rises behind the Jeeps. You can reportedly buy a bandana for about €5 before the safari, but bringing your own saves time and money.

Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty and wet. Avoid white clothing, protect your phone in a waterproof pouch, and leave cameras or other electronics behind unless you can secure them properly.

Drinks are extra, and photos are extra. Water is sensible to carry, though the tour may provide water bottles connected with the water fight. Pets are not allowed.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking may be available. Pickup is from the front of the hotel security gate, so watch for the vehicle there rather than waiting inside the lobby.

Should you book the Green Lake Jeep Safari?

Book it if you want high energy, mountain scenery, swimming, lunch, and a boat ride in one inexpensive day. The best parts are the skilled drivers, the views around Green Canyon and Green Lake, and the sharp change of pace between rough tracks and calm water.

Skip it if you want a quiet, private outing or if bumpy roads and getting wet sound unpleasant. For everyone else, the combination is hard to beat at $19, especially when pickup, lunch, insurance, and the main activities are included. Bring a face covering, protect your phone, expect noise, and let the day be a little chaotic. That is where much of its appeal lies.

FAQ

How long does the City of Side Jeep Safari and Green Lake Boat Trip last?

The activity lasts approximately six to seven hours, including hotel pickup, the Jeep route, stops, lunch, the boat cruise, and return transport.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by Jeep are included for hotels in the Side area. Pickup is scheduled at the front of the hotel security gate.

What languages are available for the guide?

Live guides are available in English, German, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at or near Green Lake is included. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

Is the Green Lake boat cruise included?

The boat trip is included when you select the option that includes it. Check the exact booking option before paying.

Do I need to bring swimwear?

Yes. The tour includes a swimming break at Green Lake, and swimming may also be offered from the boat.

Are there extra costs during the tour?

Yes. Drinks, photographs, optional photo and video packages, and the entrance fee for Manavgat Waterfall are not included.